BSNL has got 7 Telecom Factories under it. They are situated at Alipore, Gopalpur, Kharagpur ( all in Kolkata), Jabalpur, Richai (both in Jabalpur), Bhilai and Mumbai. Alipore and Jabalpur Factories were existing even before independence and were supplying most of the equipment required for the Telecommunications. Other factories were also manufacturing essential equipment to BSNL.
The V Central Pay Commission recommended that these Factories should either be wound up or privatised. The then AITE Union Class III (Namboodiri) took up the matter with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee Com. Somnath Chatterjee, M.P., who called a meeting of the union, DOT and connected officers. After detailed discussion it was decided that the Factories should not be closed but should be modernised and improved. So the TFs were not closed.
But the recommendations of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee were not implemented. The neglect of the TFs continued by the DOT and later by BSNL. BSNLEU demanded that a committee should be formed with union representatives to examine and recommend improvements. The Committee was formed with then GM(TF) Shri Nigam and Com.VAN Namboodiri, GS, BSNLEU which visited all the factories, examined the proposals for new productions, working environment etc. and submitted its recommendations. About 30% of the recommendations of the Committee might have been implemented, but many issues are still pending.
There are hundreds of towers manufactured and kept ready in the factories as per the indent of various circles, waiting to be purchased by the SSAs. But the SSA heads are purchasing the towers from the open market. While there are about 1500 towers manufactured and kept ready for supply, why the SSA heads are purchasing from outside? These and other issues were raised very seriously in the last meeting of the National Council by the Staff Side members. The administration was completely in the defence with no convincing reply to be given.
It is understood that after the discussion, the management is proceeding with some of the demands on new product etc. BSNLEU will persue with all its strength to see that new productions, modernisation etc. are implemented and the factories are revived.